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MLB will wrap up another week of games on Sunday with a 15-game slate. Games will begin at 1:05 p.m. ET and run through 7:00 p.m. ET. If you’re looking to find the best matchups to watch, search no further. Here are the best games, fantasy targets, and rookies to keep an eye on ahead of the action.
Best Games To Watch
Sunday’s early matchup between the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds at 1:10 p.m. ET could be a fun one. The Indians are starting ace pitcher Shane Bieber, who’s dialed up 11 Ks through three starts and only trails the Tampa Bay Rays’ Tyler Glasnow in strikeouts. He’s tallied more than 10 strikeouts in every game he’s appeared in, but doing that against the Reds could be very challenging. Cincinnati has been electric at the plate and has scored an MLB-leading 88 runs. Four Cincinnati players with at least 20 at-bats are batting above .300. If they stay hot on Sunday, the Reds could complete a series sweep to wrap up the weekend.
The fourth game between the American League central-leading Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays is also worth a mention. The two teams have alternated wins so far in the four-game series. DraftKings Sportsbook oddsmakers are giving the Blue Jays a little more juice at -114, but the Royals (-104) aren’t far behind. Two of the three games these teams have played against one another so far have been decided by two runs or less.
Fantasy Spotlight
The Milwaukee Brewers have been subpar at the plate so far this season and have a chance to follow up their latest 7-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates with another strong showing. The Pirates are starting Chad Kuhl, who is averaging nearly 1.5 walks per inning and probably won't make it through a third of this game if he continues to pitch like he has so far this season. He leads MLB in walks despite ranking 118th in innings pitched. Eight Milwaukee batters combined for 11 hits against the Pirates on Saturday, and something similar could happen if the Pirates’ relief pitching doesn’t show up.
Rookies to Watch
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the Miami Marlins’ top position player prospect and has not disappointed this year. He’s now batting .324 for the year with three home runs and has notched three multi-hit games in his last five outings. His exit velocity on hits is well above league average, and that’s helped him rake in extra-base hits. He’s also already stolen three bases this year. There’s a lot to like about Chisholm ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the San Francisco Giants.
MLB regular season schedule for Sunday, April 18th
If no streaming option is listed, game is available on MLB.tv pending blackout restrictions.
Diamondbacks vs. Nationals, 1:05 p.m. ET
Cardinals vs. Phillies, 1:05 p.m. ET
Rays vs. Yankees, 1:05 p.m. ET, ESPN+
White Sox vs. Red Sox, 1:10 p.m. ET
Indians vs. Reds, 1:10 p.m. ET
Giants vs. Marlins, 1:10 p.m. ET
Pirates vs. Brewers, 2:10 p.m. ET
Blue Jays vs. Royals, 2:10 p.m. ET
Orioles vs. Rangers, 2:35 p.m. ET
Mets vs. Rockies, 3:10 p.m. ET
Tigers vs. Athletics, 4:07 p.m. ET
Twins vs. Angels, 4:07 p.m. ET
Astros vs. Mariners, 4:10 p.m. ET
Dodgers vs. Padres, 4:10 p.m. ET
Braves vs. Cubs, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN, WatchESPN
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